The founder of Cafe Luqman
Founder - Victor Hugo Grisales Gutiérrez
Victor Hugo Grisales Gutiérrez was born on November 23, 1959 in Córdoba Quindío. He is the son of José Helí Grisales Jiménez and Magdalena Gutiérrez Gil; farmers from Córdoba. He was registered in Armenia Quindío.
In 1964, he moved with his parents to the Municipality of Pijao in Quindío, because his father bought the Finca La Estrella in the Vereda Río Azul. He spent his childhood and part of his adolescence in Pijao. He studied in the local school of Pijao, Santa Teresita de Pijao and completed his high school studies at the Colegio Gimnasio Armenia in 1979.
As a child, his uncle Lelio asked him what he was going to study when he graduated from school. He replied that he would study Marine Sciences, but his uncle suggested that he should study Coffee Sciences, since his father grew coffee. In 1980, he traveled to Florencia Caquetá to study animal science at the Universidad SurColombiana, but he only completed one semester there due to public order problems in that department.
As a yoga practitioner, he traveled to the US for a World Yoga Meeting and lived there for a year. After returning to Colombia, he studied Accounting Assistant Secretariat at SENA and did his academic practice at Gillette de Colombia in the City of Cali. After finishing his internship, he returned to Armenia and worked at the Municipal Comptroller's Office as a reviewer for Public Companies in Armenia. Later, he worked as sub-manager of the Quindío Printers Company. After some time, he partnered with an uncle to run a poultry and pig farm on the Finca La Linda in the Municipality of Córdoba Quindío. In 1986 and for 4 years, he managed the administration and production of the Finca La Estrella, which is owned by his father. With the savings he obtained, he bought a store in the Modelo neighborhood and one in the Limonar neighborhood of the City of Armenia. There, he met the Nestlé Supervisor of Colombia who offered him a job as a distributor of that company for Quindío in 1992. The program was the Nestlé truck plan, where his job was to sell store by store. In 1994, he became a transporter at the Colanta Company and remained there for 14 years.
The store began operations on May 30, 2012, and to date, it has been very successful. Many tourists from all over the world come to visit Cafe Luqman de Pijao. In terms of employment, the store generates one direct job and four indirect jobs. On the Finca La Estrella, in cold weather, there are ten jobs, and in the harvest season, an astonishing seventy jobs!
In the Luqman Coffee store, it was also achieved that two families made chocolates with coffee and coffee cookies, with some artisans, they trade with crafts and roasted coffee beans.
In September 2012, Victor Hugo was selected by the Coffee Axis as the winner of the cup of excellence and participated in the final held in Popayán in competition with the select top 60 participants, achieving a place as one of the best in the country. For the Coffee Committee, Family, friends and the entire community, it was a surprise that a farmer reaches those places with his dedication and so much effort.
The National Police Directorate says that Cafe Luqman de Pijao is now proudly part of its institution. General Santiago Parra has already invited Cafe Luqman to visit some countries, such as Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. On behalf of the French Government, he received an invitation to visit their country.
In December 2012, Armenia was the host of the World Horseback Riding Meeting, in which Victor Hugo participated for four days, offering Cafe Luqman in different preparations. There, the participants from 15 countries were delighted. Some Generals shared their concern about the coffee with Victor Hugo, when they expressed it to him, he replied: "yes, because they have nothing left in the cup," a phrase that amused them, and added that all participants left the conferences to have a Luqman Coffee from Pijao. They also exposed that they will assume all expenses. Victor Hugo expressed that for him, it is a matter of pride to support them with his product and work team in this activity. Following this, they sent to buy a large amount of glasses, napkins, spoons, sugar, milk, water, and other products necessary to serve all attendees. During the development of the event, the French people were happy that Luqman Coffee from Pijao filmed a commercial to take to their country.
As a result of the great reception of Cafe Luqman de Pijao, an invitation has been received from the Governor of Quindío to participate in different events and make a presence in some places to expose the product: Product exhibition at CC Unicentro de Cali, Bioexpo World Event held in Armenia. He has also been invited to different television programs of Caracol channel, Une, Telecafé, RCN, and others.
The Ecoguia Magazine in November and December 2011, cataloged Luqman Coffee as the Juan Valdez of Pijao Quindío, the facts confirm it with the success and the path traveled to date.
The Cafe Luqman store owned by Victor Hugo has received many visitors, a place where they are offered a true cup of coffee and other drinks derived from this sought-after product.
Luis Grisales
Luis Grisales, born on May 7, 2002, in Armenia, Colombia, traces his roots back to the lush coffee farms tended by his grandfather, José Helí Grisales, and his father, Victor Hugo Grisales. Growing up in the city and also amid the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the gentle hum of farm life on weekends, Luis developed a deep appreciation for his Colombian heritage and the rich traditions surrounding coffee cultivation.
At the tender age of seven, in 2009, Luis embarked on a new chapter of his life as his family relocated to the suburbs of northern New Jersey in the United States. Despite the change in scenery, as he grew older, his entrepreneurial spirit continued to flourish, evident from his early endeavors, from running a landscaping company to founding a pressure washing business.
However, it was his passion for gaming that led him to unexpected opportunities on esports stages in Las Vegas and San Diego, California, where he showcased his skills to audiences far and wide. Yet, even amidst the excitement of the gaming world, Luis remained connected to his Colombian roots, always mindful of the legacy of Cafe Luqman, a cherished family treasure.
In December 2022, fueled by a desire to blend his entrepreneurial drive with his cultural heritage, Luis made a pivotal decision to introduce Cafe Luqman to the United States. With a vision as bold as the Colombian mountains that birthed the finest coffee beans, he launched Cafe Luqman as an ecommerce brand, delivering the taste of Colombia directly to doorsteps across North America.
With unwavering determination, Luis envisions Cafe Luqman not just as a coffee brand but as a vibrant embodiment of Colombian culture and craftsmanship. His ambition knows no bounds as he strives to elevate Cafe Luqman into a multinational coffee powerhouse, distinguished not only by its exceptional coffee but also by its heartfelt dedication to showcasing the beauty and flavor of Colombia through every sip and every savory bite. In Luis's hands, Cafe Luqman becomes a vibrant tribute to Colombian coffee culture, embodying its enduring legacy.
Honorable Mention - José Heli Grisales Jiménez, son of José María Grisales Buitrago and Mercedes Jiménez Gómez, married Magdalena Gutiérrez on June 24, 1952. Together, they formed a family with five children: Alba Lucía, Isabel Liliana, Carlos Evelio, Víctor Hugo, and Diana Mercedes.
His bravery was evident during his participation in the South Korean War in 1951, where he served with distinction in the Colombia Battalion and was recognized as a war hero.
In addition to his military service, he excelled in the political and social spheres. He served as Mayor in Pijao and Buenavista, and also held the position of Acting Manager of the Social Security in Quindío. His commitment to the community extended to being an active member of the Coffee Growers Committee of Quindío.
The life of José Heli Grisales Jiménez is woven with a legacy of service and dedication to his family and the surrounding society.
